RDK launches app program for service providers

At the 2018 RDK European Summit, RDK Management unveiled a new app program that it says will make it easier to develop and launch apps consistently across RDK-based set-top boxes (STBs). The two-pronged program gives service providers the flexibility to use a versatile new RDK App Framework to build and manage their own solutions, or choose a RDK pre-integrated app store solution such as the Metrological App Store.

“Today marks a significant milestone in the history of the RDK,” said Steve Heeb, president and general manager of RDK Management. “Since inception, the RDK community focused on bringing transparency and standardization to certain technical functions of video set-top boxes and broadband gateways, enabling service providers to focus on their consumer-facing applications and UIs. Thanks to the RDK community, this new open source RDK App Framework will make it even easier for service providers to develop, launch, and manage apps in a consistent way across RDK set-top boxes. To be clear, RDK Management is not in the ‘app business’ itself, but rather ‘app enablement’ with our partners.”

Heeb continued, “Our community also includes many operators who simply want their own white-labeled app store that works across RDK set-top boxes. To support them, we’re pleased to name Metrological as the first RDK pre-integrated app store. It’s a clear testament to Metrological’s capabilities and ongoing contributions to the RDK community.”

The new RDK App Framework allows service providers to integrate apps into the TV viewing experience, provides onboarding and life cycle management tools, and enables app portability across various set-top box models. Specifically, application developers and service providers can now easily create HTML5 and native applications on set-top boxes using the new RDK App Framework and RDK Firebolt App SDK.

Driven by the RDK open source community, with key contributions from Metrological, it provides a complete development, build, and test environment for Web and native apps across RDK-based set-top boxes. Service providers now have a common technical framework to support native premium video apps, such as Netflix, YouTube, and Amazon Prime Video, along with a wide-variety of niche or third-party HTML5 apps.